In this video I talk about three beers that I received in the mail via another one of my favorite craft beer blogs New Brew Thursday. Stephen and I exchanged lists of beers that we both have wanted to try for a while and then sought out which ones we were able to buy for our trade. I am happy to say that my beer wishlist has shrunk a bit after receiving these three amazing craft beers.
1) The Bruery Oude Tart
Oude Tart is a Flemish-Style Red Ale aged in red wine barrels for 18 months. Pleasantly sour with hints of leather, dark fruit and toasty oak.
ABV: 7.5%, IBU: 15, SRM: 16, Release: Varies (1st Release in January 2010, Available at Brewery Only)
2) Lost Abbey Cuvee de Tomme
The most award winning Pizza Port beer of all time has found a new home at The Lost Abbey.
A massive brown ale base that is made from four fermentable sugars including Malted Barley, Raisins, Candi Sugar and Sour Cherries, this beer is fully fermented before being placed in Bourbon barrels where the beer ages for one year with the Sour Cherries and the wild Brettanomyces yeast that we inoculate the barrels with.
One of the most complex and unique beers we make each year.
ABV: 11.0%
Availability: Spring Release
3) Russian River Consecration
The trend of using specific types of wine barrels for specific beers has become the cornerstone of our barrel aged beer program. The newest beer in the line up of barrel aged beers, Consecration, is now in barrels. Consecration is a dark Belgian style ale aged in American oak Cabernet Sauvignon barrels. Not only do we use Brettanomyces, Lactobacillus, & Pediococcus, we also add currants to beer while it is aging in the barrels.
In this video I show off the 3 beers that I received in the mail via Brad of Hop-Cast. All three beers are from Three Floyds Brewing in Munster, Indiana.
Dreadnaught Double IPA 9.5% ABV 99 IBUs
A hopheads dream beer. This Imperial India Pale Ale has an opening salvo of mango, peach and citrus hop aromas that sit atop a pronounced caramel malt backbone. Although Dreadnaught is a strong and intensely hoppy ale, its complex flavor is both smooth and memorable.
Behemoth Barleywine: 10.5% ABV 80 IBUs
A huge, sweet Barley Wine with complex caramel malt notes, balanced by generous hopping and a high alcohol content. This fruity and malty beer is best enjoyed while keeping warm in the brutal winter months. January release.
Dark Lord Russian Imperial Stout
A demonic Russian Style Imperial Stout, brewed with Intelligensia coffee Mexican vanilla, and Indian sugar this beer defies description, available one day a year in April at the brewery, Dark Lord Day.
Here I discuss the status of Season 4 of Barry’s Beer Reviews, my homebrew which is in the works, and some other things on my mind relating to craft beer, all while drinking a delicious bottle of Bell’s Hopslam.
As a “Hop head” I struggle from time to time in picking go-to or favorite IPAs. Ninkasi Tricerahops fit into the group of IPAs they I would drinking on occasion for their fullness of flavor and total malt/hop balance. Upon first sip this beer reminding me of both Avery’s DuganA and Captain Lawrence Captain’s Reserve Double IPA. Meaning, there was a tasty combo of both honey and biscuity malt flavor along with a sweet orange hop character. While I do prefer a stronger “hop-bite” the lack of extreme double IPA bitterness made Tricerahops nice and drinkable. 8/10
I was fortunate to be given a couple bottles of this beer when I stopped by Brooklyn Brewery not too long ago. Having not tried this beer before I was curious to experience Brooklyn Monster Ale an English Barleywine that I’ve heard a lot of good things about. Upon pouring the beer there was low to moderate carbonation along with a beautiful dark red color with some haze (not totally see through). The aroma was of sweet caramel and toffee along sherry and some brown sugar notes. While I do prefer the hop character of American Barleywines, the sweet malty and dark fruit flavors in this beer were quite inviting. As an aged barleywine (known for high ABV), alcohol esters were present but not prominent. At first I didn’t think I’d enjoy the sweetness, but after I was few sips I really started to enjoy the beer as a sipper. Overall: Everytime I try a barleywine I ask myself why I have not tried more of them. However, with the English style barleywines I’m not yet sure if I could drink more than one 12oz bottle in a session. The sweet caramel and sherry notes make for an at times one dimensional drinking experience. As for the beer in question i.e. Brooklyn Monster Ale 2008, my impression of English Barleywines, did not change much. As it warmed up the sweet malt and fruit notes along with the alcohol esters did not “blow my socks off” nor did they make me want to buy this beer again in the future. If you like English Barleywines I would still recommend giving this beer a try to see how it compares to beers of this style that you have enjoyed in the past. Rating: 7/10
Staying true to its namesake Brooklyn Brewery’s website does not have any information on this illusive brew. With it’s limited production I was surprised that it did not fly off the shelves of Manhattan beer stores as fast as I thought it would. Meaning, I went to Whole Foods Bowery and New Beer Distributors yesterday and saw bottles of Black Ops still available for purchase.
After trying this fine craft brew for the first time on New Years eve it quickly became from of my favorite Imperial Stouts. What makes Black Ops so unique is that its so balanced. None of the flavors within it are too intense or overpowering. Although as with most higher ABV beers, I’d still recommend sipping the beer to fully enjoy its complexities. The mix of dark chocolate, roasted malts, vanilla, and a hint of oak are just exquisite. If you had any reservations after drinking Brooklyn’s Black Chocolate Stout then try Black Ops and I’m sure you’ll be blown away.
If you can still your hands on this brew whether at your local bottle shop or through a trade go ahead and make it happen ASAP because just like with all black ops, after some time they’ll vanish never to be heard of again.
As a beer blogger/reviewer I’ve had the chance to meet with many great craft brewers, one of which was Matt Brophy the senior VP of brewing at Flying Dog brewery (Frederick, Maryland). The first time that I drank Raging Bitch Belgian IPA was on tap the night that I met Matt at Rattle n Hum during NY craft beer week in November. I remember loving this beer then and also the Gonzo Imperial Porter that I drank while I talked beer with Matt. Recently I had the pleasure of drinking a Belgian IPA from Brewery De Ranke called XX Bitter , and when I tried FD’s Raging Bitch from the bottle I was surprised at how similar it tasted to the XX Bitter. Now having enjoyed both beers I can tell how much effort the brewers at Flying Dog put into brewing an authentic and special beer for their 20th anniversary.
So to Flying Dog Ales, a Happy 20th Anniversary and wishes of contuing to brew amazing craft beers for many years to come.
As I continue to expand my beer palate I continuously try new styles in order to increase my appreciation for what craft beer has to offer. Recently I have come to enjoy sour and wild ales, most of which are fermented with brettanomyces yeast. The combination of this yeast and other wild bacteria such as lactobacillus and pediococcus lend a sour/taste to the beer and also a funky aroma that has been compared to things like a horse blanket and walking through a dank barn.
Saison Brett, a saison/farmhouse ale fermented with brettanomyces yeast is a great example of taking a classic beer style to the next level.
Style Guidelines:
Saisons are sturdy farmhouse ale that was traditionally brewed in the winter, to be consumed throughout the summer months. Not so long ago it was close to being an endangered style, but over recent years there’s been a massive revival; especially in the US.
This is a very complex style; many are very fruity in the aroma and flavor. Look for earthy yeast tones, mild to moderate tartness. Lots of spice and with a medium bitterness. They tend to be semi-dry with many only having touch of sweetness.
Here I review the sought after New Belgium Brewery’s La Folie from there Lips of Faith series. I found it to be a pretty good example of the style and would buy it again. If you have not tried a Sour Brown Ale (oud bruin) or Flemish Red ale I’d try Rodenbach and or Rodenbach Grand Cru before trying La Folie so that you can compare an authentic Belgian example of the style to an American one. Cheers!
La Folie Wood-Aged Biere, is our original wood-conditioned beer, resting in French Oak barrels between one and three years before being bottled. . Peter Bouckaert, came to us from Rodenbach – home of the fabled sour red. Our La Folie emulates the spontaneous fermentation beers of Peter’s beloved Flanders with sour apple notes, a dry effervescence, and earthy undertones. New in 2010, we’ll do a single bottling of La Folie for the year. Collect the 22oz unique to 2010 designed bottle and start a yearly wood-aged collection of goodness.
One of the most unique Belgian Strong Dark Ales that I’ve had. The combination of both dark fruit and funkiness from the oak barrels gives a unique spin to this style of beer. After trying this and another barrel aged version of the style (Captain Lawrence Nor’Easter), I can say that I do prefer Belgian Strong Dark Ales that are not barrel aged. However, since the barrel aged ones are so unique I would by them from time to time.
